On August 5, the annual Miss Cherry’s Pageant took place and Ginger Snapt, who has worked for Jacqué Piazza and Donna Bianco there for the past five years, was not only crowned Miss Cherry’s 2012 by 2011 titleholder Logan Hardcore, beating out nine other contenders, she also won Best Performance, for her production number—consisting of “Circle of Life,” from “The Lion King,” in African costume, and “I Hope You’re Happy/Defying Gravity,” from “Wicked,” playing Elphaba, in full flowing cape, atop a ladder, to Ariel Sinclair’s Glinda—and was deemed the audience favorite as well. Tina Burner, who offered “Good Morning,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “America” from “West Side Story,” and “Cellblock Tango” from “Chicago,” with dance partners Dallas Dubois and Richard, took the sole remaining title, Miss Cherry Lane.

An unexpected highlight of the afternoon came when impresario Daniel Nardicio brought icon Liza Minnelli in for an onstage bow, much to the audience’s delight. Nardicio had presented Minnelli in two shows, at the Ice Palace the previous night, with Alan Cumming, who was present for most of the Miss Cherry’s Pageant.

Gusty Winds and Bianca Del Rio co-hosted the afternoon event. Lois McIntosh and Meryl Facterman, first owners of Cherry’s; Charity and China, former winners of many titles from Cherry’s and elsewhere; Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc., President Diane Romano and spouse Patricia Goff; Nikki Cerrato; Dune Point’s Petra Brehl; and Violet Letter Publisher Denise Dell Harbin were the judges. Susan Levine served as DJ. Tommy Brannigan and Austin coordinated the contest and assured that proceedings moved smoothly. Yuhua Hamasaki, Stasha Storm, Kay Muny (pronounced money), Brenda Dharling, Maddox Madison, Michelle Ada, Angelina White, and Erika Blaze were those who competed, beside Ginger and Tina.
Further entertainment was provided by Dallas, Gusty, Logan, Charity, Renée Flaming, Sabel Scities, Busted, and singer Justin Valentine.